Russian’s promoter claims this will be British star’s last fight.
Tyson Fury is set to make his comeback, live on Netflix, on the 11th of April against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) is considered perhaps the most intimidating figure in today’s heavyweight division. Far more than just his size (formidable on its own), Makhmudov possesses the type of face to make Sonny Liston’s knees weak.
And yet we know the Russian’s limitations very well. He was first totally outclassed and chopped down by Agit Kabayel, who made Makhmudov look slow and ponderous. We then saw him outboxed and stopped by Guido Vianello, his right eye left completely swollen by fight’s end.
But since then, Makhmudov has put together two straight wins. The first was against the 12-0 Ricardo Brown, who was dispatched in a round. The next was against fan-favourite Yorkshireman Dave Allen, who Makhmudov boxed intelligently against to defeat on points.
As a result of this latter fight, British fans have become more aware of who Makhmudov is, and now he’ll be going from fighting one of Britain’s favourites to one of Britain’s very best.
There is no overstating how big of a leap in levels this is for Makhmudov, who can quite confidently name Allen as his best win. Heavy-handed though the Canada-based Russian is, he has faced nobody remotely along the same lines as Fury, who has fought at the very pinnacle of the division.
But in spite of this, Makhmudov is nothing short of confident. And in an interview with Sky Sports, Camille Estephan (Makhmudov’s promoter), has stated, “Our goal and objective is send him into retirement, this time for real!”
‘The Gypsy King’ is known for his myriad of retirement announcements that never last for too long, with his most recent ending officially with the announcement of this fight.
Can Makhmudov put the returning king out to pasture? Those who support him clearly seem to think so.
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